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Restaurants / Niagara County restaurant inspections

At least once a year, every establishment in Niagara County that serves food is inspected by the county Health Department.

Those considered high-risk -- because they serve children or the elderly, or serve foods that require a lot of processing or are prepared hours or days before serving -- are inspected at least twice a year.

Exemplary establishments receive no rating. Violations are classified as critical problems that could lead to food-borne illness, which must be remedied immediately; or problems involving sanitation, design, maintenance and cleanliness, which must be corrected by the inspector's next visit.

The Ritts, 5697 Upper Mountain Road. No critical violations. Three others: New thermometer is needed for reach-in cooler; particle board shelving is in dry storage and is not easily cleanable; end caps are needed for light shield in dry storage area. Inspected Nov. 29.

Casa Montego, 37 Heath St. No critical violations. Five others: No thermometer present in freezer in kitchen; garbage cans in ladies' restroom do not have covered lids, repeat violation; no hand soap or single-use towels near hand-wash sink in kitchen; can of insect killer on shelf in office (removed at this time); light in walk-in cooler in basement is not shielded. Inspected Dec. 18.

Delphi Thermal Building No. 7, 200 Upper Mountain Road. No critical violations. Four others: Soap dispenser at hand-wash sink does not work; seal around walk-in freezer is broken; utensils in drawers are facing in different directions; containers of syrups are not labeled for contents. Inspected Dec. 5.

Delphi Thermal Building No. 6, 200 Upper Mountain Road. One critical violation: Cooler was found to be not at a safe cold temperature (foods that had been in cooler less than two hours were moved, rest of items were discarded). Six others: Shelving made of wood where juices are stored are not smooth and easily cleanable (corrected at this time); hand-wash sink filter needs to be replaced (corrected at this time); soap dispenser not working (corrected at this time); dish machine leaks (corrected at this time); restroom door is propped open, repeat violation (corrected at this time); apples are not displayed under sneeze guard (moved at this time). Inspected Dec. 5.

Groff's Tavern, 92 Union St. No critical violations. One other: Some storage shelves in ice machine area and microwave shelves are not smooth and easily cleanable. Inspected Dec. 11.

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>Niagara Falls

Tiddledybinks, 24 Buffalo Ave. No critical violations. Five others: Eggs were found improperly stored in indoor walk-in cooler above ready-to-eat foods, no cross-contamination noted (eggs were moved to lower shelf); door of indoor walk-in cooler is bare wood and gasket is in disrepair, and outside walk-in cooler has rusting floor and shelving and cooler shelving is also rusting, repeat violation; ice bin behind bar for drinks is not properly indirectly drained; floor leading to and in kitchen is either bare concrete or has floor tiles missing or broken making floor not smooth and easily cleanable, repeat violation: a wall-mounted ashtray is present in men's restroom. Inspected Nov. 29.

Crickett Tavern, 1103 East Ave. No critical violations. One other: Floor tiles are missing by mop sink, so floor is not easily cleanable. Inspected Dec. 11.

Dom Polski, 576 Oliver St. No critical violations. Three others: Thermometer is not present in walk-in cooler; ladies' restroom door at bar area is not self-closing, repeat violation: kitchen area lights are not properly shielded. Inspected Dec. 18.

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>Royalton

First Universalist Church, 44 Main St. No critical violations. Two others: Ceiling paint is flaking in pantry; light shield needed for pantry light. Inspected Nov. 16.

Covenant United Church of Christ, 449 Main St. No critical violations. One other: Dish machine not coming up to hot enough temperatures to sanitize dishes (hot water turned up at this time). Inspected Nov. 6. Wheatfield

Betty's Place, 2214 Niagara Falls Blvd. One critical violation: Potatoes on counter at unsafe temperature (had been on counter for more than four hours so were discarded at this time). Inspected Dec. 12.